BYD Tang L will be exported to Australia next year: renamed "Haise 8" to challenge the 7-seat SUV market

According to Australian automotive media The Driven today, BYD Australia confirmed that the brand's first seven-seater model "Sea Lion 8" will be officially unveiled in the Australian market in the first quarter of 2026 (Note: the corresponding model in China is "Tang L").

As a new member of the "Seal" series, the Sea Lion 8 will also become BYD's largest model in the Australian market.

The new car will be equipped with BYD's plug-in hybrid system, based on the new generation 5.0 platform, and provide two power configurations. The entry-level version is equipped with a 19 kWh battery and adopts the "DM-i" dual-mode intelligent architecture; the high-end model is equipped with a larger capacity 35.6 kWh blade battery.

In terms of power, both models are equipped with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine with a maximum power of 110 kW. The DM-i version is also equipped with a front motor with an output power of 200 kW, a peak torque of 315 Nm, and an acceleration time of 8.6 seconds per 100 kilometers.

The DM-p high-performance version adds a rear axle motor on this basis, providing an additional 141 kW power and 360 Nm torque, shortening the acceleration time from 0 to 100 km/h to 4.9 seconds, making it one of the seven-seater SUVs with the strongest acceleration performance.

BYD Australia head Wing You said: "We have listened to the voice of users and understand the market's desire for a true full-size seven-seater plug-in hybrid SUV. The Sea Lion 8 will become BYD's flagship model in Australia, continuing BYD's consistent advantages and surpassing user expectations in terms of technological configuration, luxury experience and value performance."

In terms of exterior design, the Sea Lion 8 continues BYD's family language and incorporates a larger and more practical SUV body style. The front face is equipped with slender LED headlights and daytime running lights; the side lines of the car are smooth, and the rear of the car is a through-type LED light strip, which is similar to the style of the recently launched Sea Lion 7 pure electric version.

The interior is equipped with BYD's latest technology configurations, including a large rotating infotainment screen and high-end materials commonly found in high-end large SUVs. Some models equipped with DM-p will also be equipped with heating, ventilation and massage functions for the first and second rows of seats, further strengthening its high-end positioning.

BYD also announced last week that it will introduce a more affordable small pure electric SUV, Atto 2, to the Australian market later this year. The final pricing and full configuration of the Sea Lion 8 will be announced before it goes on sale in the first quarter of 2026.